Sister Miriam Thomas Research Paper

Sister Miriam Thomas Thornton died peacefully at 6:20 am. on Sunday, May 7, 2006, in Maryknoll Residential Care IV. Sister Jeanne Therese Oshrin, her good friend of many years, was with her. Sister's niece, Sister Kathy Thornton, RSM, had arrived late the night before and visited with her aunt, who knew she was there. In the 76 years that Sister Miriam Thomas was a Maryknoll Sister she was known to be a private and reserved person, yet she leaves a legacy significant in its public impact and acclaim.

Edna Marie Thornton was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on March 31, 1910. She was the eldest of six children of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Thornton. She was preceded in death by three of her brothers, Judge T. Eugene Thornton, Monsignor John Thornton,
In 1946, she was appointed both President of the College and Regional Superior of the Maryknoll Sisters in the Philippines. By 1949 plans had begun to move the college to a new campus with its own buildings. Sister Miriam Thomas was involved in acquiring appropriate land, raising funds and overseeing construction of the college. Meanwhile, the Maryknoll Sisters' apostolates in the Philippines were also expanding into the Provinces and the Caroline Islands. Sister Miriam Thomas handled both responsibilities exceedingly well. She was an able administrator of the multiple College activities throughout this intense period, even while taking time to travel and visit the many Maryknoll Sisters' missions in the Region. Her kind and tender concern for the Sisters under her care are remembered by
Maryknoll College was ready! The Maryknoll Sisters' immediate response to Vatican Council II in the ‘60s and Sister Miriam Thomas' exceptional administrative abilities and foresight prepared for the decision made in December 1975 to transfer ownership and control of Maryknoll College, Inc. to a Board of Trustees whose members would be chosen from the local Filipino community. On the Board were a number of alumnae who had been picked and trained by Sister Miriam Thomas. The celebration of Maryknoll College's Golden Jubilee Year in 1976 was highlighted by the investiture of its first lay president, Dr. Paz Adriano. After a total of 18 years as President of Maryknoll College, Sister Miriam Thomas quietly, but happily, withdrew from the position. At that time it was agreed that the name of the College would not be changed immediately. When the change took place ten years later several reasons led to the selection of the name "Miriam College" and one of them was to express gratitude to the person who had devoted herself so much to the